Atlanta, Georgia is hosting the 2022 League of Legends World Championship Semifinals at State Farm Arena October 29-30. This is a massive esports competition, with teams, sponsorships, media and more descending on the city for the tournament. However, while walking through downtown Atlanta, there are no visible signs advertising Worlds 2022.
The Ferris Wheel
The large ferris wheel near Centennial Park is the only place to get a hint that Worlds 2022 is taking place nearby. SkyView Atlanta, located on Luckie Street NW, is a 20-story ferris wheel right in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. It is impossible to miss, and it stands out as a large, circular structure among the towering skyscrapers.
The center of the wheel holds a round LED screen featuring the SkyView Atlanta logo. It is also currently cycling to the League of Legends Worlds 2022 logo. This is a fun, subtle touch to welcome fans from around the world.
Nothing Else
Other than the ferris wheel, which is more of an Easter egg than true advertising, there are no signs of Worlds 2022 in downtown Atlanta. No billboards, no banners, no bench ads. State Farm Arena has a large LED sign outside advertising upcoming events and partner ads. Blackpink’s Born Pink tour, Atlanta Hawks basketball games, and The Millenium tour feature on one side. On the other side, UPS, Sprite, and other partners of the arena and the Hawks cycle through. At no point does League of Legends Worlds 2022 appear.
Riot Games held a tailgate party on Friday, October 28 from 5pm to 10pm, but for anyone who missed that, there are no signs that the event is here. This feels like a missed opportunity. LoL Esports should have advertisements on the LED sign at the State Farm Arena entrance, maybe something on benches or trash bins throughout downtown to let people know the event is here. Most of these spots are currently occupied with initiative ads to promote participation in upcoming elections and encouraging employment.
There is plenty of space around the arena itself to at least put signage or banners. LoL Esports could plant flags around downtown like they currently feature on Summoner’s Rift. If they wanted to be extra special, they could prop up some champion statues around the arena for photo opportunities.
Overall, nothing about downtown Atlanta signals that the World Championship is here. Fans walking around the area will probably spot esports merch on passersby, and they will definitely recognize the logo on the ferris wheel. But otherwise, LoL Esports is nowhere to be seen.
You can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more pieces from Thomas and other great TGH writers!
